The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-06-18
Death of w. III. Tower.

DOobh VI W. AOWOla
Mr.. w. H. Tower, who had been
i'll for several months, died about 1:2O
O'Clock Thursday afternoon of last
week. Although his death had been
expected at any time within the past
three months, yet the announcement
caused shock and deep sorrow in
this community, where he was SO
well and favorably known. Though
he suffered greatly during his entire
illness, his death was calm and peace
full. He would have been 55 years
old on the goth of July next.
The following is brief sketch of
Mr.. Towers useful life:
William Henry Tower was born
July Goth, 1882, in the lower part of
Allegany county, this state, on the
line of the old Baltimore pike. His
parents were natives of Massachu-
sets. His father was a good English
classical scholar, and had the honor
of introducing into the schools of
Bradford county, Pa. an improved
system eff instruction, far in advance
of his contemporaries, and which has
since become general. VIM. H. Tow
er, the subject Of this sketch, had the
advantage of a liberal academic edu-
cation, and received his tuition at an
academy located at Shade Gap. Hunt
ingdon county, Pennsylvania. His
preference tended toward mathemat-
les, in the study of which he attained
creditable proficiency, and also thor
oughly mastered all the English
branches. His first experience in
active business was that of clerk in
a store, which he entered at the age
of seventeen years, He held that po-
sition for about one year, and after
that tried various other employ
ments, such as clerking, serving as a
mail agent, and as a member of an
engineer corps, until attaining the
age of twenty-four years when school
teaching suggested itself to his mind
and he followed that unremittingly
for over six years. during which time
he filled some important positions.
His last term he served as principal
of the public school at Oakland in the
year 1872.
Prior to this. In 1864, he accepted
the charge of the lumber department
of the business of H. G. Davis & Co.,
at Deer Park, which place he held for
three years. In 1869 he was elected
one of the School Commissioners of
Allegany county, and was chosen
Clerk of the County Commissioners
of that county, filling these positions
for two years. On the formation of
Garrett county, in 1872, he was elect
ed Clerk of the Circuit Court, and has
been reelected at each succeeding
election since, always receiving
vote largely in excess of his party
strength. He was chosen correspond
ing secretary of the Garrett county
Bible Society in 1870, In 1858 he be-
came a member of the Sons and
Daughters of America in 1872 of the
order of Good Templers in 1878 of
the Knights of Pythias (; in 1874 of
the Odd Fellows. He was also
leading member in the knights of
Honor and Legion of Honor. In all
of these orders he has filled the high
est positions with distinction. He
was one of the ruling elders of the
Presbyterian church in Oakland, and
was for number Of years superin-
tendant of its Sunday School. Mr..
Tower was married July 3, 1856, to
Miss Rebecca Peterson Totten daugh-
ter of Ezekiel Totten, deceased, of
Oakland. There are five children
now living, two sons and three
daughters. One of the daughters is
the wife of Mr.. Ed. j. West, of
Swanton, this county. Mr.. Tower
was affable and pleasing in manner,
and of warm, generous disposition,
ever prompt to respond to the appeal
of charity, even at personal incon-
venience. In his business relations
just and accommodating, discharging
and faithfully all duties
imposed on him or solicited by 9TH
ers. He was man eminently fitted
to fill any position, public or private.
Funeral services were held Satur-
day at II o'clock A. NJ, in the Pres
byterian Church, Rev. John S. + oulk
assisted by Rev. w. j.
Sharps, of the Oakland M. E. Church.
The church was crowded to its ut
most capacity, and large number
of friends were compelled to remain
outside during the services. The